Police Scotland support campaign to keep workplaces safe

Businesses of all sizes are being encouraged to act now to
keep their workplaces safe as part of a pioneering campaign launched this week
by the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) with support from Police
Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Safer Business, Stronger Scotland is backed by the Scottish
Government and aims to create a strong economic base for Scotland by helping
businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations to be more resilient to the threat
of criminal activity and fire risk.

Throughout the campaign, SBRC will be delivering a range of
advanced training, support and intelligence sharing for businesses to help
mitigate threats ranging from online fraud to serious organised crime. The
campaign was officially launched at Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Headquarters in Cambuslang on Wednesday.

Chief Operating Officer at SBRC, Lynsae Tulloch said: “Our
message is that Scotland is a safe place to work and do business, whether
online or in a physical setting, through taking very simple steps to understand
and mitigate risks.

“This in turn supports a stronger and more robust economy
for continued investment that, together, means we can build safer, stronger
communities.”

As part of the campaign, Scottish businesses are being encouraged
to sign up to the free #PadlockPledge to make a clear commitment to safety and
resilience.

A #PadlockPledge could be anything from pledging to make
online passwords more complex to keeping staff safe through lone worker
training. By signing up, businesses will join a national network committed to
making a difference by taking proactive measures against potential threats.

Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart said, “The Scottish
Fire and Rescue Service are delighted to be supporting this campaign and we are
working closely with our partners to help keep businesses safe.

“Alongside the SBRC we regularly provide advice and guidance
to businesses across Scotland which helps to create a safe working environment.

“I would urge business to sign up to the #PadlockPledge
scheme and make a clear commitment to safety and resilience.”

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said, “Police
Scotland is committed to improving the safety and wellbeing of our communities
and this of course includes our business communities. We are delighted to have
strong partnerships with the Scottish Business Resilience Centre and other
agencies, working together to provide support to businesses and help them to
protect themselves from criminals who are becoming increasingly sophisticated
in their methods. Initiatives like this provide a strong message to would be
criminals that Scottish businesses are not easy targets and will be well
prepared for the threats they may pose.”

The Scottish Business Resilience Centre is a non-profit organisation
which exists to support and help protect Scottish businesses. SBRC has a team
of seconded police and fire officers working directly with businesses to
provide advice, activity and training courses that support the campaign.

Lynsae added, “Research shows that 6 in 10 small to medium
sized-businesses (SMEs) which are victims of cyber-attacks do not recover, and
close within six months. Yet despite this, 75 per cent of SMEs in Scotland have
spent nothing on cyber fraud prevention – the highest across the UK.

“Only by being aware of the possible risks, can businesses
be prepared and bounce back should the worst happen. We are here to help reduce
these risks and keep your doors open. This is one of the reasons why this
campaign is so crucial and why we want to drive involvement to safeguard
Scottish businesses and together help build safer, stronger communities.”

For more information on how to take the #PadlockPledge visit
SaferBusinessStrongerScotland.com